OPINION

Ignore petty politics

Re: "Boston Marathon's brainless bigotry on show", (Opinion, April 12).

Yes, the bigotry about the Boston Marathon is all there for everyone to see. After China, now it is the Russians. All civilised people in the West have now risen to support Ukrainians. Banning Russians from sports and concerts will certainly bring victory.

When the USA was bombarding and killing the innocents in Iraq and Afghanistan, no one raised a voice to ban the USA from international events -- not a single continent or country. Bigotry has no colour or identity, but it is reflected in the values and standards of a society. People in the USA are much more enlightened and should rise above this kind of petty politics.

Re: "Covering the new entry rules", (Business, April 6).

Janine Phakdeetham has done a respectable job of outlining the current requirements for visitors to Thailand in her "Explainer" segment. One part that remains confusing, however -- and perhaps the aspect that still troubles potential visitors the most -- is what happens if a traveller tests positive upon arrival in Thailand.

The Explainer article says that in such instance the traveller "may be medically advised to receive treatment in either a hospital, hotel isolation or community isolation".

Is it really only a matter of "advising" the traveller, or will compliance with such "advice" be mandatory? If the traveller is asymptomatic, will he or she still be hospitalised or quarantined? Will the traveller have a choice of facilities for isolation?

Such uncertainties are what will continue to constrain potential visitors from actually booking trips to Thailand. Just as investors hate uncertainty in markets, tourists hate ambiguity of arrangements. Most will opt for destinations where they know exactly where they stand and where they can feel confident that their valuable holiday time will not be disrupted with uncertain forced quarantine or isolation. There are now many such places in the world. Thailand is currently far behind the curve in the scramble to attract tourists.

Re: "Women first!", (PostBag, April 9).

Reading Julian Spindler's missive about women, I had to then check the date wasn't April 1.

In a recent study into bullying and abusive behaviour among staff at Australia's parliament, a report by Kate Jenkins, over 60% of perpetrators were identified as being women. It seems that the demand for gender equality is well on the way to achieving its goals.

Re: "Efta free-trade talks edge closer", (BP, April 11).

I strongly favour free-trade areas, which keep us competitive and expand our trade opportunities.

Likewise, I highly favour sharply lowering restrictions on the movement of law-abiding citizens -- as has long been the case in the EU. For example, we needed more highly-skilled people because our education system doesn't train Thais to analyse, question and think outside the box. Also, we're an ageing society -- we need more young workers to support our elderly.

Where to quickly get those workers we need but from other countries? How about refugees, like from Myanmar? Offer foreigners the chance to benefit our economy -- by getting them to work and retire here, abolishing the 10-year retiree visa cap.

Look abroad to benefit our country.